Top fish species at Atkinson Lake

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Atkinson Lake fishing reports

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Longnose gar

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

length · weight

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Black crappie

14 in · 3 lb

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Green sunfish

length · weight

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Paddlefish

length · weight

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Channel catfish

length · weight

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General info

Atkinson Lake is a lake located in Vernon County, Missouri, United States. It is also intersecting with Saint Clair County, Missouri. It is most popular for fishing Channel catfish, Largemouth bass, and Paddlefish.

Location

38°00′12.7″N 94°03′55.5″W
Directions

When are Largemouth Bass biting on Atkinson Lake?

Learn what time of year and day to go fishing at Atkinson Lake. Download Fishbrain today to look for new fishing spots, scout new fishing access, or prep for your next trip.

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Fishing regulations at Atkinson Lake, MO

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Missouri can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Below you will see fishing regulations for catching Channel catfish as of April 2nd, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.

Channel catfish

Seasons

Open

Bag limit

10

Bull Shoals Lake

Lakewide: Ozark and Taney

Daily limit:

Catfish (channel, blue and flathead): 10, combined total of these three species

From Powersite Dam to Highway 76: Taney 

Prohibited Methods: Trotlines, throwlines and limb lines

For more information please see Catfish special area restrictions


Lake of the Ozarks

On the lake and its tributaries:

Daily limit:

Do not continue to snag, snare or grab for any species after taking a daily limit of 2 paddlefish.

Blue catfish: 10 fish daily and possession limit; the daily limit may not contain more than 2 blue catfish more than 34".

Length limit:

Blue catfish: 26" to 34" protected slot length limit; 10 fish daily and possession limit; the daily limit may not contain more than 2 blue catfish more than 34".

Within 525 feet on the left descending bank and 977 feet on the right descending bank below Truman Dam in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' restricted zone:

Area note: No fishing is allowed.

From the downstream end of the no-fishing zone below Truman Dam to U.S. Highway 65:

Prohibited methods: Trotlines, throwlines, limb lines, jug lines, snagging, snaring and grabbing are prohibited.

For more information please see Catfish special area restrictions


Mississippi River

This area encompasses the Mississippi River, including Pools 20-26, the temporary overflow waters east of the Missouri Pacific Railroad between Cape Girardeau and Scott City, and the temporary overflow waters east of the mainline and setback levees between Commerce and the Arkansas state line.

Mississippi River, including Pools 20-26

Daily limits:

Channel catfish and blue catfish: The daily and possession limit is 20, combined total of these species.

Flathead catfish: The daily and possession limit is 10 fish.

Length limits:

Limit of 2 poles per licensed angler

Limit of 50 hooks on a trotline

For more information please see Catfish special area restrictions


Table Rock Lake

Lakewide:

Daily limit: 

Do not continue to snag, snare or grab for any species after taking a daily limit of 2 paddlefish.

Catfish (channel, blue and flathead): 10, combined total of these species

For more information please see Catfish special area restrictions


Truman Lake

On the lake and its tributaries

Daily limit:

Blue catfish: 10 fish daily and possession limit, with not more than 2 blue catfish more than 34".

Size limit:

Blue catfish: 26" to 34" protected slot length limit; the daily limit may not contain more than 2 blue catfish more than 34".

Prohibited Methods: No person shall continue to snag, snare or grab for any species after taking a daily limit of 2 paddlefish.

For more information please see Catfish special area restrictions

Ictalurus punctatus

Regulations for

38°00′12.7″N 94°03′55.5″W
Regulations in the map
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Local laws and licenses

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Cities nearby

Bolivar

44.8 miles away

Pittsburg

53.5 miles away

Warrensburg

55.6 miles away

Raymore

59.2 miles away

Carthage

60.6 miles away

Webb City

63.5 miles away

Sedalia

66.1 miles away

Republic

68.3 miles away

Joplin

68.4 miles away

Springfield

70.1 miles away

Nixa

78.5 miles away

Lebanon

80.0 miles away

Ozark

81.5 miles away

Neosho

81.9 miles away

Miami

88.9 miles away

Branson

103.3 miles away

Bella Vista

106.8 miles away

Fort Leonard Wood

107.0 miles away

Jefferson City

109.6 miles away

Bentonville

114.3 miles away

Centerton

114.5 miles away

Rogers

116.6 miles away

Rolla

125.6 miles away

Harrison

132.2 miles away

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FAQ about Atkinson Lake fishing

Atkinson Lake is a lake located in Vernon County, Missouri, United States. It is also intersecting with Saint Clair County, Missouri. Its coordinates are:
38°00′12.7″N 94°03′55.5″W
.
Find the best fishing spots on Atkinson Lake by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
The most common species in Atkinson Lake are:
The latest Atkinson Lake fishing reports are:
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